IONIA, MI – The fact that a convicted murderer is guaranteed to spend the rest of his life behind bars isn't deterring the Ionia County Prosecutor from charging him with escaping prison and kidnapping a woman.

Prosecutor Ron Schafer considered the victim's wishes when deciding whether to issue charges against Michael Elliot, who fled Ionia Correctional Facility in February. He's accused of kidnapping and carjacking Cheryl VanWormer, a Belding resident, during his escape to Indiana.

Elliot, 41, is scheduled to be arraigned on charges of kidnapping, carjacking and prison escape on Wednesday, April 23, in 64-A District Court in Ionia, according to records.

Schafer said he had several conversations with VanWormer, who was in her Jeep in Ionia when Elliot approached with a box cutter and said he needed a ride, authorities said. She maintained her composure during their drive and called 911 from a locked restroom when they stopped at an Indiana gas station. VanWormer was not injured.

Elliot took VanWormer's Jeep, and the 24-hour manhunt involved a task force of local, state and federal authorities. He was arrested in LaPorte County, Ind., where he was lodged for about a month before being extradited to Michigan.

Elliot is currently serving five life sentences without parole for his role in a quadruple murder and arson in Gladwin County in 1993. Schafer said the fact that Elliot won't be released from prison doesn't mitigate the seriousness of the crimes he's accused of committing during his escape.

"If the case is important to our victim, then it’s important to us," he said. "Her care that day - if you will, her experience - is no lesser simply because the guy already has prior convictions."

Schafer earlier said VanWormer was "very upset, very angry" following the incident but declined Wednesday to give an update on her well-being.

Michigan Department of Corrections records show Elliot is lodged at Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility in Ionia. He is listed as a Level IV inmate, meaning he's considered a significant threat. An MDOC spokesperson could not be reached for comment.

Elliot for months planned his Feb. 2 escape, studying fences around Ionia Correctional Facility and a sally port where inmates are transported to and from the prison. Dressed in white thermal underwear to blend in with the snow, he used scissors to create holes in two fences, according to an MDOC report. The report criticized the prison's control center for failing to reset microwave and fence alarms.

Angie Jackson covers public safety and breaking news for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her at ajackso3@mlive.com, and follow her on Twitter.